The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Forges Education Alliance with UMUC

New agreement will provide ACTFL members the opportunity to earn a specialized graduate certificate in Instructional Technology Integration

By Kerry O'Neill
(koneill@mghus.com)
|
July 5, 2012

Adelphi, MD (July 5, 2012)—University of Maryland University College (UMUC) announces that it has forged an educational alliance with The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)—the national association for language education professionals—to offer higher education opportunities to its more than 12,000 members. Beginning this fall, ACTFL members will be able to earn a specialized online graduate certificate in Instructional Technology Integration designed specifically for individuals teaching world languages on the K–12 level.

"UMUC is pleased to partner with ACTFL to strengthen the language education of today's youth by providing Council members with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance K–12 student learning in the global, digitally rich, and interconnected world in which we all live," said UMUC Graduate School Interim Dean Robert Goodwin. "This partnership and UMUC's graduate certificate in Instructional Technology Integration, adapted specifically for global language educators, reinforces UMUC's commitment to providing quality education programs for teachers."

The 12-credit certificate will adapt four 3-credit courses from UMUC's Master of Education in Instructional Technology program, tailored for teachers of world languages and culture. Each course will focus on incorporating current and emerging technologies into curriculum, instruction and assessment to strengthen student learning in world languages.

The alliance will offer ACTFL members access to an interactive online classroom community focused on helping teachers connect more effectively with today's digital learners and meet students' diverse language learning needs. Discussions and assignments are structured so teachers can immediately apply program content to their current school and to the grade level, language, and environment in which they teach. Participants also have the opportunity to continue their studies by enrolling in UMUC's Master of Education in instructional technology, and applying the credits earned in the certificate program toward the master’s degree.

ACTFL members who wish to enroll in the certificate courses must apply for admission to UMUC and are eligible for a waiver of the application fee. For members who are not Maryland residents and do not qualify for the university's in-state tuition rate, UMUC offers a substantial discount on out-of-state rates.

For more information about this opportunity, visit www.umuc.edu/actfl or contact the UMUC Corporate Learning Solutions office by phone at 855-CLS-5300 or by e-mail at cls@umuc.edu.

About ACTFL

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages is the national association for language education professionals from all levels of instruction and representing all languages. With more than 12,300 active members, ACTFL provides innovative professional development opportunities, acclaimed training and certification programs, and widely cited books, publications, scholarly journals, research studies and language education resources, including Foreign Language Annals and The Language Educator magazine. As part of its mission and vision, the organization provides guidance to the profession and to the general public regarding issues, policies, and best practices related to the teaching and learning of languages and cultures. ACTFL is a leading national voice among language educators and administrators and is guided by a responsibility to set standards and expectations that will result in high quality language programs. For more information, visit the ACTFL Web site.